Crochet dresses are a growing trend, but to avoid the dated, slightly frumpy look that crochet clothing can create, one must use a high-quality yarn that drapes elegantly and resists fraying, as well as patterns that offer stylish detailing and silhouettes. From tunic dresses with a modern simplicity to a T-shirt-inspired crochet dress for kids, these garment patterns are unique and inspiring — and did we mention, free?

Fine Tunic-ed

This modern tunic crochet dress hints at a lace design with its peek-a-boo gaps, but the diamond-shaped holes offer a cleaner take on the vintage fabric. When made with a charcoal gray yarn or other muted color, the crochet dress takes on an understated elegance. 
Head to Pierrot Yarns for the free crochet dress pattern.

Shirt Dress

Striped T-shirts are a popular fashion trend, though mostly as refashioned skirts and dresses. This crochet dress offers an intriguing twist on the popular trend, using black and white yarn to create a T-shirt-inspired crochet dress. While the pattern is for kids, with enough experience, one can use this styling to write an adult crochet dress pattern.
Pardon my Chaos shares the pattern.

Dressed to the Nines

Crimson yarn creates a sleek, sexy crochet dress, best paired with a cotton shift lining. A simple tie adorns the empire bodice while the pencil skirt silhouette will ripple with the undershift's color as you dance the night away. 
Download the free crochet dress pattern from BurdaStyle.

Show Off Your Sea Legs

A lace pattern plus a flirty waist and neckline create a chic, beach-inspired summer crochet dress. Even better, the pattern comes with a free cost estimate (€22 or $35 in yarn). Keep the dress shorter to form a tunic and wear it over full slacks, or pair the dress over a simple shift dress in a complimentary color to add extra flair. 
DROPS Design shares this free crochet pattern dress.

Thrills and Frills 

Looking for a crochet dress with a little more feminine detailing? Mohair yarn with its soft felting-inspired look is used to combine both knit and crochet stitches, and the delicate dress looks striking when contrasted with muted leggings and a soft-hued but formal button down. 
Pierrot Yarns share this free crochet dress pattern.

Image credits (from top): Peirrot Yarns, Peirrot Yarns, Pardon My Chaos, BurdaStyle, Drops Design and Peirrot Yarns